The Jersey Office of the Information Commissioner (JOIC) is now a member of the ‘Association of Francophone Data Protection Authorities,’ the body which unites the data protection authorities of countries that share the French language, traditions and values.
The AFAPDP's activities focus on the promotion of the protection of personal data, the strengthening of the capacities of its members and the promotion of French-speaking vision and expertise abroad.
The request from JOIC to join the AFAPDP was accepted on 16 September 2019. Information Commissioner Dr Jay Fedorak said: “The AFAPDP is playing an increasingly important role in the world of data protection. Our discussions on common issues are very extensive and useful. The AFAPDP presents opportunities to build partnerships and share resources, which are particularly important for small authorities like JOIC. This international collaboration gives Jersey an opportunity to demonstrate its unique identity, distinct from the UK.”
Following the news, Dr Fedorak wrote an article for ‘Le Rocher,’ the quarterly French newspaper of the Channel Islands. Read the article above and translation here:
Jersey's Information Commissioner Dr Jay Fedorak,
Le Rocher, 24 October 2019
"Celebrating our francophone heritage is one of the priorities of the Jersey Office of the Information Commissioner. For this reason, JOIC is pleased that our request to join the Association of Francophone Data Protection Authorities was accepted at the 13th General Assembly in Dakar Senegal on 16 September 2019.
JOIC is the independent authority responsible for overseeing implementation of the laws of 2018 on the protection of personal data, translations in French of which are available on our website. Our role is threefold. First, it is to create awareness among businesses, public authorities and the general public of the rights and responsibilities of laws based on the European General Data Protection Regulation. Second, we counsel and assist all organisations wish to comply with the law. Finally, we apply the law by conducting investigations and imposing sanctions and administrative fines where necessary.
The activities of the AFAPDP are to promote data protection, to enhance the effectiveness of its members, and raise the profile of francophone authorities on the international stage. The AFAPDP includes the authorities of countries that share the French language, legal traditions and common values. Its activities are supported and endorsed by la Francophonie.
The AFAPDP is playing an increasingly important role in the world of data protection. Our discussions on common issues are very extensive and useful. The AFAPDP presents opportunities to build partnerships and share resources, which are particularly important for small authorities like JOIC. This international collaboration gives Jersey an opportunity to demonstrate its unique identity, distinct from the UK."
